Counselora · Classroom lesson
Choosing a coping strategy for the school day
Grades 6–8 · Ready-made original
Learning goal
Choose a few ways to pause and know when to ask for help.
Materials
The student page below and a pencil.
Opening question · 3 minutes
“Which coping choice fits this setting?”
A school situation · 5 minutes
Casey has a noisy lunch period, a long afternoon assignment, and a late bus. One reset idea will not fit every setting. Casey needs options that follow school expectations and do not require special supplies.
One possible response · 4 minutes
In a noisy lunch space, ask about an available quieter place. During class, a brief stretch or help request may fit.
Practice · 10 minutes
Which coping choice fits this setting?
1. A long class task feels hard to begin. The student can stay seated and ask a question.
2. The bus is late and the student does not know the updated plan.
Possible answers
1. Rest hands briefly and ask what the first step should be.
2. Ask the supervising school adult for the current information rather than leaving alone.
Student page · 5 minutes
Use the ready-to-print student page at the end of this lesson. Students may write, draw, or give an answer aloud.
Exit question · 3 minutes
“Choose one of the stories. What could the student say or do first?”
Student page to print
Choosing a coping strategy for the school day
Write, draw, or say your answer. You may pass.
An example
Casey has a noisy lunch period, a long afternoon assignment, and a late bus. One reset idea will not fit every setting. Casey needs options that follow school expectations and do not require special supplies.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
One possible response: In a noisy lunch space, ask about an available quieter place. During class, a brief stretch or help request may fit.
1. A long class task feels hard to begin. The student can stay seated and ask a question.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
2. The bus is late and the student does not know the updated plan.
Which coping choice fits this setting?
One sentence to keep
Choose one story above. Write the first thing the person could say or do.